SAS will from now on start charging for soda and juice in economy class on their longhaul. Apparently one will still get a free slump of soda for the main meal, but apart from that they will now start charging 20 NOK pr. can in economy class. Coffee, tea and water will still be free.

A part of a product uppgrade they call it !

http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article2480727.ece

The change comes from the SAS head office in Stockholm.


Just sad 

[Edited 2012-10-03 12:02:35]

[Edited 2012-10-03 12:03:05]

Wow, ~$3.50 USD per can or bottle. Makes Spirit Airlines look like a bargain!

Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter): 20 NOK pr. can in economy class.

3.50USD? That's going to annoy a lot passengers on US bound flights who can't buy drinks at the airport because of the liquid ban on US bound flights.

Absolutely stupid move.

Thumbs down, SAS. I guess I'll consider pretty much any airline but SAS on long-haul. This move would definitely mark them as having worst on-board service in my view.

Does this mean they'll start offering 1 Euro+tax return tickets to the USA and Asia?

OK, to specify a little:

The new concept will be more efficient for the airline, and will involve a weight savings. But first and foremost it will be better for passengers, promises information manager Knut Morten Johansen of SAS to VG Nett.

He explains the concept of the economy as follows:

* Passengers will have three units with drinks at mealtimes on long routes, ie six units total.

* The units are twice as large, 0.33 liter instead of 0.15 liters.

* Passengers will also get free bottled water and free water refills. Also coffee and tea are free.

* Between meals the planes have a better selection of snacks for sale. Then, too soft cost savings, 20 million for a soft drink.


So very bad pr work from SAS pr department, as the whole Scandinavian media seem to have missunderstood the concept from the start. Sounds a bit better, but not much ...

[Edited 2012-10-03 12:26:13]

You can buy drinks at the airport and bring them on US bound flights!

Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter): SAS will from now on start charging for soda and juice in economy class on their longhaul. Apparently one will still get a free slump of soda for the main meal, but apart from that they will now start charging 20 NOK pr. can in economy class. Coffee, tea and water will still be free.

what happened, did they go to the US Airways' seminar?

This is just sad.... and then we all wonder why Emirates, Qatar and Etihad are making a killing.

What about alcohol? From what I recall, SAS allows one free alcoholic beverage at meal times. Wouldn't it make more sense for them to just do away with this policy, rather than eliminate free cocktails?

What's soda? A soft drink?

I think that this is an incredibly idiotic move. This is because the average person will not have this many drinks. By making people pay after 6 sodas they will nonetheless effect the average very little and it will save them next to nothing. But it get's terrible press that is not worth it.

I find that number, 6 free cans per passenger, very surprising.

Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 8): What's soda? A soft drink?

Soda is another word for soft drink, yes

Quoting Aesma (Reply 10): I find that number, 6 free cans per passenger, very surprising.

Hahah especially because SAS isn't a US/American-based carrier. Surely, the majority of their passenger makeup therefore cannot be consuming an unprofitably high level of sugary beverages on SK's dime   

Quoting Aesma (Reply 10): I find that number, 6 free cans per passenger, very surprising.

Yeah, I think there is a miscommunication somewhere, I don't get that comment either.

Hopefully the FA's will slow down some now when going around offering water instead of practically sprinting down aisles like they always seemed to do on my SAS flights (they seem to go at a more typical pace for their coffee/tea runs).

[Edited 2012-10-03 14:19:08]

I would much rather pay for a normal sized can of a fizzy drink(0,33) then ask for a drink and get a small sized can(0,15) which is ludicrous on a long haul flight, I know I can ask for more, but it's rather annoying asking sometimes!

Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 8): What's soda?

pop.

They should charge for meals also.
Forget the crappy regular free economy meals and start a pre-booking service for upgraded meal product instead. (kinda like the KLM ala-carte concept).

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 16): Forget the crappy regular free economy meals and start a pre-booking service for upgraded meal product instead. (kinda like the KLM ala-carte concept).

I'm kind of surprised they don't already do something like that. It has been a while since I have flown them but I recall not even getting a choice of meals in economy (Economy Extra can choose between 2 options).

Quoting Mortyman (Reply 11): Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 8): What's soda? A soft drink? Soda is another word for soft drink, yes

In my experience, the term "soda" is only used in the U.S. The term is never used in Canada, where it would be "soft drink" or "pop".

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 16): They should charge for meals also.

There was a time when SAS happily paid the fines leveled at them because they did not charge for meals. How things change.

Quoting IrishAyes (Reply 7): SAS allows one free alcoholic beverage at meal times.

On my last SAS long haul CPH-EWR, I asked for a beer on each drinks run and was never charged and this was in economy. I think I had 4 or 5 on the flight. This new move however, gets a thumbs down from me. I find travelling stressful enough. I don't want to have to worry about stocking up on drinks at the airport or having cash to buy on board. For the price they're charging, I expect everything included. Asking me to pay for drinks just makes their service seem cheap and tacky. They're lucky I've got no choice but to fly them.

Quoting shamrock321 (Reply 5): You can buy drinks at the airport and bring them on US bound flights!

On my recent HKG-EWR, DME-IAH, and CDG-IAH flights I remember bags were checked either in the jetway or in the gate lounge and any bottle of water i had purchased inside the airport were disposed of in HKG and DME, while no drinks could be purchased at CDG 1 inside the satellites. At the A380 C gates at FRA, I also did not see any place to purchase drinks after security. I did wonder if there was additional security check after Passport Control at OSL for the small section of non-Schengen flights, especially for the few US-bound flights.

Quoting golfradio (Reply 15): Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 8): What's soda? pop.

what's pop?

[Edited 2012-10-03 16:19:04]

Quoting CompensateMe (Reply 1): Wow, ~$3.50 USD per can or bottle. Makes Spirit Airlines look like a bargain!

coming next, an IKEA food stall in the departure area ... grab your free-food before the flight! 

Quoting Aesma (Reply 10): I find that number, 6 free cans per passenger, very surprising.

The way I read it is only 3 cans each way on a return - but because they are normal cans they count as 2 units each.

Quoting Mortyman (Reply 4): So very bad pr work from SAS pr department, as the whole Scandinavian media seem to have missunderstood the concept from the start. Sounds a bit better, but not much ...

Still sounds like crap: Ryanair service on a premium fare.

Quoting Mortyman (Reply 4): The new concept will be more efficient for the airline, and will involve a weight savings. But first and foremost it will be better for passengers, promises information manager Knut Morten Johansen of SAS to VG Nett.

That is a new concept: we save weight because we serve less drinks, but it is better for the passengers!

SK was already terrible before and now they only get worse.

$3.50 is about the cost of soda (pop) in Europe so half the pax won't think it is outrageous.

Overall, a bad move by SK in the end. Probably need to kill this program before it is implemented to save them more bad PR.

Quoting fun2fly (Reply 25): $3.50 is about the cost of soda (pop) in Europe so half the pax won't think it is outrageous.

I get 0.5l coke for 0,85€ (1.10$) at a vending machine here in germany...

Quoting fun2fly (Reply 25): $3.50 is about the cost of soda (pop) in Europe

In a cafe or bar that you haven't just paid out a few hundred euros/dollars you will most likely be willing to pay $3.50 for a 330ml can of coke etc. When you have paid a lot of money for your seat I think the mindset would be somewhat different - however if you are on a long flight, and we are told to drink lots of liquid [and personally I hate tepid water] I guess lots of passengers will succumb and pay up.

Would being charged for drinks put me off choosing an airline? - if all my other personal 'needs' are being met by a particular airline then being stung a few dollars more for drinks on a long haul flight probably isn't going to influence my decision significantly - which I guess is was SK are betting on. They are also probably gambling on most passengers not realising before they get on the plane they have to pay for extra drinks.

I have flown Ryanair a couple of times and refused to pay their astronomic prices for a 150ml can - what we call a mixer size here in the UK. Even the FA agreed with me that it was a rip off. Fortunately it was a short flight from France so I didn't die of dehydration  

This is just sad to hear. SK is bleeding money. How long could SK stay aloft without the tax payers money?

[Edited 2012-10-03 16:56:49]

[Edited 2012-10-03 17:01:49]

I once paid 9.80€ for a Pepsi at a restaurant in Paris. Wine was only 5€!  

Someone said, "lucky for them i'm forced to fly them"... are other hubs too far away for you ? LH, KL, TK ?

On a serious note, i had the KLM premium meals (a la carte) and they are worth the money. When I fly a clean KL flight I always order it. They also come around with icecream on most longerhaul (a rather good one too), nice touch. And still has a good little selection or sweet or savoury snacks in the back galley. For FREE!. I start from Aalborg, so SAS should be the obvious choice out of CPH. Today I even thought of booking my next longhaul with SAS ironically. A last chance sorta. But this move scares me away. Seriously, how will they even keep track of how many units each passenger'd had , if someone felt like sleeping or skipping it during a mealservice... Come on SAS! They will never change. If you THIS far into a "crisis" want to repair a broken image by charging for soda's longhaul, you are surely lost as a management. Norwegian anyone? They might even have free soda on longhaul. Alot of good airlines are expanding, while SAS are saving. FF'ers are choosing flights based on service and common sense. Service they know is gone with SAS, not worth a detour. So what, they now have their 11th longhaul AC back, KLM, last I checked, had 66 AC, BA god knows how many, and AF and Delta will over 50 each. Even Finniar, Austrian and Brussels are more attractive. SAS-chiefs seem like they are hoping for their good ol' loyal goldcarders and businessguys that want fuss-free flying, directly from stockholm and cph... Not thinking a whole new generation of businessguys like me, are finding ever more choice, with not picking them, and going elsewhere. SAS's enemy is themselves. For not having expanded earlier, and now they can't follow the rest. KLM are rightfully stealing a LOT of danish/nordic frequenters to AMS, TK, LH etc. to their hubs too. It's like DSB (danish railwaysystem) waiting till the last moment, to try and fix everything. Must be a nordic syndrome/mentality. Leave it to the others in the future. Money might not be there now. But it has been. Instead they're standing with a pile of AC, where alot of them are dated, and not frequently overhauled. They are VERY tired. ps. I don't drink 6 cans of coke on a flight. I just feel 800-1000 euro for CPH to New York outta cover that amount of sugar for me...pps. free service inflight, plus upgraded AVOD system, and it would maybe be tolerable, but don't even get me started on their 80's rolling video system... URGH!!    ppps. The only revolutionary thing about SAS that I can think of, is that they still don't charge for bags, and their headrest-padding on MD80's. Probably still the softest one you can find inflight, by far the best AC I've slept on at SAS. But SAS longhaul ? naah...

I believe every airline wants to do this but is afraid to pull the trigger. I believe US experiment with coach passengers paying for business class meals on international is really about gauging how many people are willing to pay for a meal period. It is a precursor to charging for any and all meals to Europe.

Quoting Bobloblaw (Reply 31): I believe every airline wants to do this but is afraid to pull the trigger. I believe US experiment with coach passengers paying for business class meals on international is really about gauging how many people are willing to pay for a meal period. It is a precursor to charging for any and all meals to Europe.

UA was the one that wanted to try this. The test market was initially intended to be TATL flights out of their IAD hub only. US was the airline that started charging for beverage service, but this was dropped (along with the UA initiative) fairly quickly.

If I recall correctly, neither initiatives saw through actual implementation due to the PR backlash that resulted. Moreover, I believe that both were launched circa-2008, aka close to when 1st and 2nd checked bag charges came into play. Given the BILLIONS in revenue that US carriers have raked in ever since, there hasn't been any need to return to the meals situation.

To me, at the end of the day, unbundling as it pertains to in-flight catering becomes more questionable the longer the duration of the flight. Frankly, the fixed costs of operating an 8 hour flight more or less are at par whether you're dealing with an LCC like Air Asia or a FSC like Malaysian Airlines.

As such, do airlines really feel the need to strip down their value-added services to such a level for the sake of cost-savings or product alignment, because frankly, if the price of the ticket is the same elsewhere, or only just a tad bit less, I'm going to vote with the carrier that offers a bit more for my money.

To put anything up for sale, after giving them with no charge for such a long time, is always stupid move for any industry.
Cost saving? There are still hundred ways out there to do it...but not so directly into passengers' face.
So long SAS, just can't wish you to be back in business. It's better to let them gone!!

Quoting IrishAyes (Reply 32): UA was the one that wanted to try this. The test market was initially intended to be TATL flights out of their IAD hub only. US was the airline that started charging for beverage service, but this was dropped (along with the UA initiative) fairly quickly.

OS offers an upgraded meal for all EU and International services ex-VIE. It is very good, though not 15€ good.

Quoting Mortyman (Reply 4): The new concept will be more efficient for the airline, and will involve a weight savings. But first and foremost it will be better for passengers, promises information manager Knut Morten Johansen of SAS to VG Nett.

This is a bad joke. Not even laughable. Weight savings my ass. They need to dump those inefficient A340s, and order the 787 and or 77Es or 76Ws until they can receive the 787. Isn't the A340 a bit large for SAS markets?

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 16): They should charge for meals also. Forget the crappy regular free economy meals and start a pre-booking service for upgraded meal product instead. (kinda like the KLM ala-carte concept).

   ! AF is now offering an upgraded meal service for a [email protected] What I read and saw about them, looked lovely, even though AF serves nice meals in Y already.
DL is offering an option as well to order a premium meal on their LAX/SFO-JFK flights and I believe also JFK across the Atlantic.
US just started a similar program too.
NH also offers Y a similar option in addition to their complimentary meals.

Quoting IrishAyes (Reply 32): UA was the one that wanted to try this. The test market was initially intended to be TATL flights out of their IAD hub only. US was the airline that started charging for beverage service, but this was dropped (along with the UA initiative) fairly quickly. If I recall correctly, neither initiatives saw through actual implementation due to the PR backlash that resulted. Moreover, I believe that both were launched circa-2008, aka close to when 1st and 2nd checked bag charges came into play. Given the BILLIONS in revenue that US carriers have raked in ever since, there hasn't been any need to return to the meals situation.

UA had a press release about it, but it never went through.
US did start the charge for beverages, but it was stopped rather quickly as it failed miserably.

Quoting Polot (Reply 13): Hopefully the FA's will slow down some now when going around offering water instead of practically sprinting down aisles like they always seemed to do on my SAS flights

  

I was going to say the same thing. With SK as well as other airlines, it is usually difficult to get any service - including more sodas - except during the meal service. At some points the flight attendants may be going around and distributing water or even orange juice, but a proper drinks trolley passing you... rare and unlikely.

So while I despise SK for the step they are taking, the real effects are small.

Besides, who flies SK longhaul anyway   

SAS are officially Europe's worst "legacy airline" in my eyes... They keep getting worse and worse and the only thing they have to cling onto is their punctuality record.

Ryanair have a good punctuality record so not really something to boast about!

Governments of Norway, Sweden and Denmark: Please please please sell SAS... to IAG, LH or AF/KL. It's their only hope.

Personally I think Star Alliance should put sanctions on SAS until their service levels are on par with other members there are extensive code sharing agreements with like Lufthansa.

Quoting danielkandi (Reply 30): Someone said, "lucky for them i'm forced to fly them"... are other hubs too far away for you ? LH, KL, TK ?

It was me who said it. I have a disability that makes flying difficult. It's better for me to take a direct flight rather than change aircraft somewhere. SK is the only direct flight from CPH to NYC that it at a workable time for me. My friend and girlfriend however prefer to connect through the UK for the savings on fare and I bet they get free soda too. SK are just getting worse and worse. They like to give the impression of a premium service but once you get there, it's anything but. I only used them once between CPH and London and it was certainly far from the cheapest fare, yet I got no leg room, everything was BOB and after the nose camera was done after take-off, they displayed ads for most of the journey. Ryanair service at SK prices.

Quoting shufflemoomin (Reply 38): everything was BOB

I flew CPH-LHR a few weeks ago and they offered tea/coffee for no extra. OK, not significant, but better than those items being pay-for. It seems this reintroduction began in early 2012.

Quoting SKAirbus (Reply 37): Governments of Norway, Sweden and Denmark: Please please please sell SAS... to IAG, LH or AF/KL. It's their only hope.

Unfortunately, SK is not attractive enough to any potential buyer in the EU. I hear one of the reasons LH pulled out was because of the extremely high salaries to senior cabin crew and a militant union, especially in Denmark.

I doubt IAG have any interest. They did not even show interest to buy TP - now it seems TP can be sold to a South American carrier, Avianca, also in Star Alliance. But only if the EU relaxes the law on foreign ownership.

AF/KL are bleeding money. Don't see them getting into more debts at the moment.

Quoting horstroad (Reply 26): I get 0.5l coke for 0,85€ (1.10$) at a vending machine here in germany...

Find a vending machine on an airplane then. Try comparing it to the price of a coke at FRA. I just paid 3 euros for one on Sept 13. I don't find this any different pricing than the US carriers charging $6 for a can of Miller/Bud.

I remember in the 80/90s when they charged for all drinks in economy. They still have the oldest FAs in the industry IMO, old tired ladies getting out of breath.

My last flight with SK to LHR there was a really old FA that had to sit down next to me in the back to catch her breath, I felt sorry for her. Down the back in between the engines of a MD87, worst 2½ hour flight I ever had.

Went with IB/Air Nostrum last week, very nice, I think I´ll go with them over Norwegian in the future. Good looking FAs to  
SK will have a hard time, Norwegian expanding on to long haul and in EU there are a lot of options. I don't think SK will exist in 10 years time.

This is indeed a VERY bad move IMO.
Unfortunately, other airlines will follow (a bit like the 3-4-3 seating on 777s).

Let's just be clear that you will still be getting complimentary drinks (wine, beer and softdrinks) with the meals. In case there are 2 meals you will get drinks twice. In between you can get water, tea and coffee for free.

I agree it's not a good move as it sends a wrong signal of degraded service.

In reality, it won't change things too much for those who just drink water between the two meals in order to stay hydrated.

Quoting sweair (Reply 42): They still have the oldest FAs in the industry IMO, old tired ladies getting out of breath

Quoting sweair (Reply 42): Good looking FAs to

Thats a bit offensive dont you think. Do you only eat in restaurants with good looking waitresses or bank in banks with good looking staff????

Get real!

I also don't think now is a good time to be introducing moves like this, especially with rumours that Norwegian are getting into the long haul game on SKs turf. When my friends from Edinburgh come to CPH, they have the choice of SK or DY direct. DY are always cheaper and in some cases, around a third of the cost. They also get a nicer aircraft and now free Wifi. There's absolutely no reason for them to give their business to SK. Now SK are starting to make it look like DY won't have to try hard to steal their long haul customers either.

Maybe they are planning to icrease ancillary revenue by offering over priced camelback's from the trolley......

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 18): The term is never used in Canada, where it would be "soft drink" or "pop".

Do you include Québec ? In France we say soda. But maybe not in Québec since it's an English word, they would use "boisson gazeuse" or something like that.

Quoting horstroad (Reply 26): I get 0.5l coke for 0,85€ (1.10$) at a vending machine here in germany...

A vending machine where ? In Paris métro it's between 2 and 3€, at my local movie theater in the burbs 3,5€. Should be the same at CDG but I wouldn't know since I can't see myself paying that much.

Quoting tonystan (Reply 45): Thats a bit offensive dont you think. Do you only eat in restaurants with good looking waitresses or bank in banks with good looking staff???? Get real!

I am sorry you got offended. I just said the image I as a customer get of SK vs IB. The IB FAs were young and had warm smiles, they gave a good image, the planes were older but in decent condition. Sorry for not being PC, but a employees of airlines are the image they give outwards. And IB/Air Nostrum gave me a very positive view of IB, first time flying IB.

To see a FA sitting down sweating and out of breath and aged above 55 might just give another image to some customers? The FA on Air Nostrum gave a really energetic image to me, fast and efficient, friendly smile and professional attitude. Just the way I see it, sorry for being blunt.